CBS, Netflix Renew Streaming Pact for Library Programs

CBS Corp. and Netflix Inc. extended the companies’ multi-year licensing agreement for certain pieces of content in the archives of programs CBS owns. Under the extended pact, new titles such as “L.A. Complex,” “4400,” and “CSI: NY” will be available to Netflix subscribers. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

In addition to the new series, the agreement also includes CBS series already on Netflix, such as “Jericho,” “Medium,” and “Flashpoint,” as well as episodes from some of television’s most iconic franchises, including all generations of the definitive sci-fi series “Star Trek” and the cult favorite “Twin Peaks.”

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The two companies signed a two-year, non-exclusive licensing pact in February, 2011, that allowed certain CBS-owned programs, which include everything from “Cheers” to “The Andy Griffith Show” – to be streamed for Netflix subscribers. In calls with investors CBS Corp. chief executive Leslie Moonves has described deals with streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon as a boon to his company, as the agreements add another layer of revenue for content. TV networks typically rely on money from advertising and traditional syndication deals with TV stations, cable networks and foreign broadcasters.

The announcement marks the latest salvo in an ongoing effort by Netflix and rival Amazon to stockpile popular content from a bevy of TV networks and studios, to achieve dominance not only among the nascent video-streaming services but also establish their offerings as viable alternatives to premium cable services such as HBO and Showtime. CBS also has deals with Amazon, which has the rights to stream current summer series “Under the Dome” after it airs on CBS.